Bleacher Report’s Ron Jayson Timbang:
“Speed kills.” Ask anyone in the sports of boxing who will win between a fighter who has fast hands and someone who possesses power but lacks speed, and you will often get the former as the answer.
If this will apply in the upcoming title-eliminator match between former title contender Shane Carwin and upcoming superstar Junior dos Santos, then it is much likely that the Brazilian will take the victory, as he is known to be the faster fighter.
Just take a look at “Cigano’s” last six fights in the UFC, and you’ll find out how he managed to win by out-striking notable stand-up fighters known for their power: Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve, Mirco Flipovic, Gilbert Yvel, Gabriel Gonzaga and Roy Nelson—all of which ended with a finish except for the last one.
In dos Santos’ fight with Nelson at UFC 117, he managed to out-point the former IFL heavyweight champion who is known for his knockout power. Nelson tried to land power shots during the fight but was overwhelmed with the speed that dos Santos possesses.
Even though “Cigano” had not managed to end the fight with a finish, he had still done enough to earn a unanimous decision by turning “the Big Country” into a punching bag.
Meanwhile, Shane Carwin can brag about his own record of knockout wins over four of his last five opponents in the UFC. Nonetheless, none of those fighters possessed the same striking skills as dos Santos, with the only notable ones being Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga—two fighters who are not even classified as “pure strikers.”